Role of Healthcare Professionals in Advocating for Pediatric Patients
Sometimes, children can have difficulty advocating for their interests. They face many issues, such as a lack of understanding of their needs or access to healthcare services. Healthcare professionals need to know how to help in these situations.
Providing Healthcare Access
Firstly, healthcare professionals should provide access to healthcare services for vulnerable children (Pickett, 2022). They should understand that some children cannot access healthcare services due to accessibility or financial issues. In this case, healthcare professionals should provide alternative medical services such as access to free or reduced-price healthcare services.
Educating About Rights
Secondly, healthcare professionals can advocate for vulnerable children by providing them with information about their rights and protection. They should be ready to answer children’s questions and support them in asserting their rights and interests. They should also provide information about resources such as free or reduced-priced healthcare services available to vulnerable children.
Active Listening
Medical professionals can stand up for vulnerable children, assuring them that their interests will be considered with dignity and understanding. Sometimes, medical professionals can listen to and consider children’s opinions. This is especially important when it comes to such childhood issues as allergies, medical contraindications, and illnesses related to diet and medication, specifically for those children who face the consequences of COVID-19 (Goldfeld, 2022). Children can experience fear of the unknown and lack of control. In these cases, the medical professional can consider their words, welcome their ideas, and offer the best solution (Davies, 2023).
Overcoming Barriers
Medical professionals can also remove obstacles children may encounter when seeking medical help. They can collaborate with other professionals, including parents, school teachers, and social workers, to help children achieve their goals. They can offer psychological support, developmental activities, and unique events to help children make the right decisions. Moreover, medical professionals can play an essential role in protecting vulnerable children by giving them the right to voice and understanding. This will give children the confidence that their interests and the right to dignity will be considered with understanding.
Works Cited
Davies, Clare, Jennifer Fraser, and Donna Waters. “Establishing a Framework for Listening to Children in Healthcare.” Journal of Child Health Care 27.2 (2023): 279-288. Web.
Goldfeld, Sharon, et al. “Potential Indirect Impacts of the COVID‐19 Pandemic on Children: a Narrative Review Using a Community Child Health Lens.” Medical Journal of Australia 216.7 (2022): 364-372. Web.
Pickett, Kate E., et al. “The Social Determinants of Child Health and Inequalities in Child Health.” Paediatrics and Child Health 32.3 (2022): 88-94. Web.